Pencil holder and sharpening device



Nov. 16, 1943. H. E. CONN PENCIL "HOLDER AND SHARPENING DEVICE Filed July 31, 1943 INVENTOR. ta/c131 Patented Nov. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Pnvcn. noLnEnANnsHARPnNING nnvron 7 Howard EastoiiConmNewCastle, Application July 31, 1943, Serial No. 496,923 fi'Claims 01.120 49),

This invention relates to a combined holder and abrasive sharpening or pointingdevice for pencils and the like. i

More specifically the present invention constitutes an implement for the use of draftsmen, architects, artists, etc., inthe form'of a desk stand, serving to maintain a supply of pencils in a position convenient for use and serving as an abrasive sharpener for the pencils and as a receiver for the filings accumulated in sharpening or pointing the pencils.

In drafting it is the practice to utilize a number of pencils of the various grades and also colors. These are sharpened'eith'er with a knife or pencil sharpener and the protruding lead pointed with a file or sand paper pad, kept at hand for this purpose. To avoidinterruptions, it-is usual to sharpen a number ofpencils at a time, with the leads fairly long so that the tips may be quickly repointed by filing or sanding, when they become blunted. A

Care must be exercised to prevent the powdery filings from soiling the drawings, therefore the filing or sanding is usually done away from the drawing board. Likewise the tip of the pencil is ordinarily wiped with a cloth toremove' the adhering particles of graphite or the like.

However it is of advantage to the draftsman to keep his supply of pencils-convenientlyat hand on the drafting table. The present device is de-' signed for this purpose and provides also a convenient sharpener.

Drawing pencils require sharpening at frequent intervals for best results. The device permits the sharpening of pencils quickly with one hand in the course of the work, thus efiecting a saving in time and effort.

The device likewise prevents soiling of the drawings and serves to protect the relatively fragile pointed leads against breakage.

Although designed primarily for sharpening lead pencils the device is equally efficient as a sharpener for other instruments. i

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pencil stand and-sharpener adapted to maintain a supplyv ofiwriting'or drawing pencils in a position convenient for 'use' and serving as an abrasive sharpener forthe pencils and as a receiver for the filings accumulated in sharpening them. i

Itis a further object to provide a pencil stand constituting a convenient sharpener for the pen oils and serving as a protector'for the pointed tips of the pencils and as acleaner .to remove adhering particles after sharpening them.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pencil stand incorporating'a holder for an abrasive sheetwhichprovides forconvenient renewal of the sheet and whichprovides storage space for a supply of the sheets;

Further objects and advantages of theinvention will be more fully set .forthinthe description of the accompanying drawing in which:

Figural is aside elevation of the improved pencil stand and sharpener showing a plurality of pencilsin place'therein. t

Figure 2 isa top'planview ofthe same.

Figure 3 is a sectionalview taken on line 3-3, Figure 1 illustrating a sheet of abrasive being applied thereto. 3

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentarytopplan view "illustrating the abrasive holder and pencil support with the abrasive sheet'removed.

Figure 5 illustrates on areduced scale, an abrasive sheet provided with scored lines .to facilitate folding for application tothe column.

Referring specifically to the drawing, illustrating one embodiment of the invention, the device in general comprises a base indicated generally at I, a collar 2 secured to the base,'anda column or standard '3', likewise secured to "the base and extending-vertically above the collar 2 and'centrally thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the base I is of square configuration and may'beformed of a sheet metal stamping having a top'surface 4 and side walls 5 to provide the proper thickness for the base.

The collar 2 likewise may be of sheet metal and is secured upon'the top surface 4 centrally of'the base, for example'by spot welding. The collar is preferably circular in' shape and of sulficient height toform a 'receptacle'to catchan'd retain the pulverized pencil filings, as hereinafterdescribed."

iAsillustrated, the column or standard 3'is mounted" centrally of the collar2 and extends considerably above the heightof the collar and likewise maybe secured'to thebase by spot welding. The column, also of sheet metal in the present instance, may be in the form of an equilateral triangle in cross section, as illustrated. An abrasivesheet 6 such as sand paper or emery cloth is applied about the exterior of the standard thus providing a three sided sanding or sharpening surface for the pencils, 7 .In order to secure the abrasivesheet, the col-, umn 3 is formed with one corner slightly open to provide a slot .1 for the insertion ofthe seam 8 of the abrasive sheet 6, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.0f the drawing. Following this construction the column 3 may be'formed from a single sheet of metal by simply bending two opposite longitudinal sides of the sheet inwardly toward each other to form a triangular shaped tube, the seam being left slightly open to accommodate the abrasive sheet. 7

As illustrated in Figure 3 the abrasive sheet constitutes a triangular shaped tube formed preferably by bending, .similar to the column, and sufficiently large for a slide fit thereover.

The marginal edges of the opposite free sides are bent inwardly toward each other to form the inturned seam 8. The abrasive tube i locked in I place by slipping it down over the column as shown in Figure 3 with the seam engaged in the slot 1. By this arrangement the sheet is securely fastened, a frictional engagement of the seam in the slot 1 resisting withdrawal from the column. When it becomes necessary to replace the abrasive it is removed by slipping it off the column upwardly and inserting anew one in place.

'In practice the abrasive sheetsmay be-supplied in flat form with scored or perforated lines to facilitate accurate bending of the walls and seam lines. Otherwise in applying'the sheet, the column 3 may be utilized as a mandrel to locate the bend lines accurately.

Figure 5 illustrates a sheet provided with fold lines 9 as by scoring or perforating. These lines are spaced to coincide ,with'the corners of the column so that the sheet may be readilybent around the column and fit snugly thereon.

Likewise, the opposite marginal edges of the sheet are scored or perforated along the lines ll0, to provide marginal edges I I which are readily bent inwardly for insertion in the slot 7,. as illustrated in Figure 3. The sheet is readily bent to shape with its seam turnedin and slipped over the column as illustrated, snugly fitted and secured clasped about the column.

As illustratedLin Figure 3 the collar or retainer 2 is locatedupon the base approximately centrally of the column 3 to form a receptacle l2 surrounding the standard. This receptacle serves to catch and retain the accumulation of filings or abraded material occasioned in sharpening the pencil points and prevents the powdery filings from drifting and soiling the work. Therefore the retainer serves as a protector and permits the sharpener to beplaced at the most convenient location on the drafting table or desk, thereby eifecting a saving in time and effort for the drafts man or artist.

In order to protect; the sharpened tips of the pencils and also to clean them of adhering particles after sharpening, the sharpener may be provided with a pad indicated at I3, located at the bottom of the column 3. This pad'may be of cot ton, felt or any suitable soft material which will permit the sharp points to penetrate, to clean them and serve also to support the pencil and cushion and protect, the tip against breakage.

In order to accommodate for a supply of abrasive sheets thebase I may be arranged for storing a stock of them. As illustrated in Figure 3, the base i of the device may be utilized as a storage compartment for a supply of abrasive sheets. For this purpose the base may be provided with a pair of flanges or lips |-l5' extending inwardly from the opposite side wall sections informing the base. In order to accommodate the sheets the base'is dimensioned slightly larger than the sheets to provide clearance around the marginal edges thereof. Y

The stack of abrasive sheets is inserted in the pencil to clean In withdrawing the individual sheets for use,

the lowermost one of the stack is grasped between the fingers and pulled downwardly, causing it to bow and its opposite ends slip off the flange l5, for removal without disturbing the remainder of the stack.

While the device has been described as constructed of sheet metal, other forms of construction are contemplated. The device lends itself readily to molding in glass or the various forms of plastics without substantial change in design. In such instances thebase may advantageously be made of solid material for weight to prevent tipping.

It -will be apparent also that various modifications in the configuration of the stand maybe made without departing from the invention.

I Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A combined holder and sharpening device for pencils and the like comprising: a base, a tu-. bular column mounted upon and extendin up wardly from said base, said column comprising a pluralit oflongitudinal, relatively fiat walls, and having a slot disposed longitudinally thereof, an abrasive sheet adapted to be wrapped about said column, said sheet having fold lines adapting the same to conform to said column with its opposite marginal edges in adjoining relation and engaged within said slot for securing the sheet to the column. i

2. A device of the class described, comprising:

a base, a column mounted upon and extending upwardly from: said base, said column having an abrasive sharpening surface thereon, and a re,- tainer collar disposed about the lower portion of said column to form a receptacle forv abraded materials.

3. A combined holder and sharpening device for pencils and the like comprising; a base, a tubular column mounted upon and extending upwardly from said base, said column having a plurality of flat abrasive surfaces, a retainer collar disposed about thelower portion of said'column and adapted to receive abraded materials from said abrasive surfaces, and a pad disposed within said tubular column at the lower portion thereof, said pad adapted to receive the pointed end of a.

and protect the same from damage.

4. A pencil sharpening device comprising; a base, a column mounted upon said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said column having a plurality of fiat'longitudinal surfaces and including a slot extending longitudinally there of, and an abrasive sheet'adapted to be Wrapped about said column with its'opposite longitudinal edges engaged within said slot to secure the sheet to said column.

5. A combined holder and sharpening device forpencils and the like, comprising: a base, a

tubular column secured to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said column comprising a plurality of longitudinal flat sides and provid- 7 ing a holder for a plurality of pencils disposed interiorly thereof, abrasive means disposed extefor sharpening pencils thereon, a retainer collar disposed about the lowerportion-of: said column and spaced therespirit of the from and adapted to receive the abraded material from saidabrasive means, and a cushion disposed within said tubular column at the lower portion thereof adapted to receive the pointed ends of the pencils therein to protect the same.

6. A device for sharpening pencils and the like, comprising: a base, a column mounted upon and secured to said base, fastening means associated with said column for securing an abrasive sheet thereto, and a retainer collar disposed about the lower portion of said column and spaced therefrom and adapted to form a receptacle for abraded materials.

HOWARD EASTON CONN. 

